A new solo exhibition exploring colour, structure and emotional response will open on Brisbane’s northside this month, marking a milestone moment for local artist Mike McCarthy.
Titled Discovery, the exhibition will be presented at Gallery 4017 from 8 May to 6 June, with an opening night scheduled for 6.30pm.
Located in nearby Deagon, the gallery sits within easy reach of Bracken Ridge, offering northside residents access to a growing program of local exhibitions.
The exhibition is McCarthy’s first solo showcase after more than a decade developing his practice, primarily working in acrylic on canvas. His work centres on still life compositions, using carefully arranged everyday objects to explore the relationship between shape, colour, light and shadow.
Across the collection, familiar subjects are reinterpreted through deliberate structure and tonal contrast, inviting viewers to form their own emotional responses rather than guiding a fixed narrative.
While still life remains his core focus, McCarthy has also worked across landscape and portraiture. His style is grounded in realism, layered with influences from Art Deco and Pop Art, reflecting both classical and modern approaches to composition.
A northside pathway to a solo exhibition
McCarthy’s path to a solo exhibition has been shaped outside formal academic training, instead built through workshops and mentorship, including guidance under Artrageous Artist-in-Residence Shane Rodwell. This hands-on approach has contributed to his technical grounding in colour theory, light and perspective.
His recent work has gained recognition through multiple community exhibitions, including consecutive People’s Choice Awards at Artrageous in 2023 and 2024, as well as a highly commended result with the Redcliffe Art Society. He has also exhibited at the Nundah Art Shows and contributed to the Deagon Railway Station mural project.
Discovery represents a progression from group exhibitions to a dedicated gallery setting, bringing together a cohesive body of work developed over recent years.
The exhibition runs until 6 June at Gallery 4017.
Published 26-April-2026
Featured Image Credit: Sandgate Guide
